In a murder trial in Milton, a psychiatrist testified that she had repeatedly advised two women in Burlington, Ont., to take a 12-year-old boy under their care to the emergency room due to his deteriorating health and refusal to eat. The psychiatrist, Dr. Shelinderjit Dhaliwal, expressed that if the family had followed her advice, the boy might still be alive today.
The women, Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber, are facing charges of first-degree murder in connection with the boy, identified as L.L., and have also pleaded not guilty to charges of confinement, assault with a weapon, and failing to provide the necessaries of life to L.L.’s younger brother, J.L. The trial, which began the previous month, is expected to continue into December.
L.L. and J.L., who are two years apart in age, were under the care of the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa before being placed with Cooney and Hamber in Burlington as part of an adoption process. Testimonies from various medical professionals and therapists have revealed concerns about the boys’ well-being and the alleged neglect they faced. L.L. was severely malnourished at the time of his death, weighing less than he did at the age of six and showing signs of stunted growth.
Dr. Dhaliwal, who had been treating L.L. since January 2022, recounted interactions with the boy and his guardians, particularly highlighting Hamber’s reports of L.L.’s worsening condition. Despite her repeated recommendations for immediate medical attention, Hamber was reluctant to take L.L. to the hospital, citing concerns about traumatizing him or delays in treatment.
Efforts were made to facilitate L.L.’s admission to an eating disorder clinic, but delays in medical intervention ultimately led to his tragic death in December. The psychiatrist defended her actions, stating that urgent medical care, not just referrals, was crucial in L.L.’s case. Despite the ongoing trial, the exact cause of L.L.’s death remains undetermined.